𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏' ≛ m. kelso ✔

≛ chapter four

JUNE 1978

"That'll be a dollar and thirty cents."

The wrinkly old woman drew a bill and some coins from her tiny purse and dropped the money in Juniper's hand. "Thank you, dearie."

"No problem," June smiled as she slid the cup of coffee to the elderly woman.

Lucy Powell leaned against the counter with a smug smirk on her face as she watched her friend. "Don't think you're being sneaky when you glance at the clock every five seconds, missy," she teased, her dark curls bouncing as she tilted her head.

"Fuck off, Luce," June chuckled, shaking her head with a fond smile.

"I'm just saying, it's pretty suspicious that you're so eager to end your shift."

"Of course I want to end my shift," Juniper scoffed dismissively, wiping down the counter. "I'm tired." She glanced down at her watch. "It's time for me to go, so if you'll excuse me-"

Lucy stepped in front of her with a raised eyebrow. "Or maybe," her lip curled upwards maliciously, "you're excited to hang out with a certain someone."

Juniper threw her a look before taking her apron off and carefully folding it into her locker in the back room.

Lucy followed her like a nagging thought in the back of her head. "That's what it is, isn't it?"

June ignored the question, but Lucy was far too invested in her friend's love life to miss the red that seared through her cheeks.

The two stepped out through the back door onto the busy street. A mirthful smile appeared on Lucy's lips. "Oh, so now you're not going to talk to me just because I mentioned how much you like our Arch-"

"Time to shut up, Luce!" Juniper hissed as the boy ran up to them.

"Hey, ladies," he chirped, his bright blue eyes lingering on June.

Lucy glanced between the two of them, barely trying to hide her grin. "Hey, Archie. We were just talking about you."

Archie's eyebrows shot up to the top of his forehead. "You were?"

"No, we weren't," said June sternly.

He eyed her with amusement. "Well, why not? We all know I'm a great subject for conversation."

"Yeah, with your boring-ass kazoo or whatever you carry around with you?" Lucy snorted.

"It's a harmonica!"

"Uh-huh. Are we going or what?"

Archie resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Yeah, come on."

He circled around so he was standing between the two women, his arms draped around either of their shoulders. He still smelled vaguely of peppermint, June noticed. His sister had spilled peppermint extract on his school sweater a few nights ago and it still hadn't washed out.

This was their daily routine - Lucy and June worked at the coffee shop after school while they waited for Archie to finish up with his classes, and then they all walked to June's house together. Archie went to an all-boys boarding school and he couldn't wait to get out. He had met the girls when one of his friends tried to flirt with Lucy. She and his friend dated for a while, but it didn't last long. In fact, Archie was the only one who remained friends with the two. He was teased about it constantly, but he didn't care. He found that he quite enjoyed their company.

Archibald Stone was the picture of perfection. Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, a good body, and a good bone structure. He got nearly perfect grades and played guitar. And, of course, that harmonica that he always carried around. To be frank, he was probably one of the most desirable eighteen-year-olds in the neighborhood.